The Philippines is a haven of biodiversity, unique ecosystems, and untouched natural treasure troves that are home to endemic and some endangered animal species – and its environmental protection has been a topic of hot debate for many years. In the face of a divisive, challenging, and at times frightening social landscape, we have continued to try time and time again to move with a united front for the protection of the environment. It’s not just individuals who are asking this; businesses are also looking for ways to bridge the divides and find common ground so that we can tackle issues like climate change, deforestation, clean water shortages, and the recent proliferation of pandemic diseases.
In this article, we’ll tackle the four times that we have emerged triumphant in our quest to protect the environment, and the first few steps that we’ve taken to leave behind a better and more livable world for future generations.
Saving the Bats’ Natural Habitat and Preserving Unique Cave Ecosystems
Caves continue to attract people for different reasons because of the mystifying secrets of their existence, the aesthetic beauty, and the thrills of a new experience and adventure. But aside from being big magnets for both local and foreign tourists, caves also serve as the natural habitat for numerous animal species, including bats. Unfortunately, human activities have put these natural habitats in danger of exploitation, whether through treasure hunting, unregulated harvesting of natural resources, or even illegal wildlife trade and tourism.
According to Director Theresa Mundita S. Lim of the Department of Environment and Resources’ Biodiversity Management Bureau, “Caves are unique ecosystems within an ecosystem. They are habitats to unique species that can be found in that ecosystem.” Lim said prudence dictates extensive research and study to know more about what we stand to lose rather than what is to be gained in exploiting caves and cave resources. Republic Act (RA) 9072, or the Caves and Cave Resources Protection and Conservation Act, on April 8, 2001, mandates the DENR to take the lead in conserving, managing, and protecting caves and cave resources as part of the country’s natural wealth. This includes cave-classification projects to find areas that need to be protected by the government.
The DENR’s cave-classification project aims to guide national and local governments and other stakeholders on how to sustainably manage caves and cave resources, Lim said. The DENR also creates a Cave Management Board for every cave it has classified to formulate policies on how to manage, conserve and protect the cave and its resources, as mandated by RA 9072.
Cave classification aims to strengthen cooperation and exchange of information between governmental authorities and people who use caves and cave resources for scientific, educational, recreational, tourism and other purposes. According to Lim, “Some caves can be used for tourism or for scientific studies and research, but some caves may be classified as restricted to destructive human activities.”
Today, the DENR is pushing for the protection and conservation of caves to help save bats—a keystone species that will help maintain a healthy forest and help prevent biodiversity loss—one cave at a time.
The Moves to Protect Underappreciated Ecosystems in Philippine Peatlands
In addition to cave protection programs, the DENR has also moved to protect peatlands, which are crucial regions in forests that support important ecosystems in forested regions in the Philippines. In recent years, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has identified nine peatland ecosystems in the country — mostly within protected areas or in the heart of swampy forests.
But what are peatlands? These are wetland ecosystems where the soil is composed of 65 percent or more organic matter derived from dead and decaying plant materials submerged under high water saturation.
According to the DENR, peatlands cover an estimated area of 400 million hectares globally. This is equivalent to about 3 percent of the Earth’s land surface. While peatlands are relatively small in terms of providing services to society—particularly in providing clean drinking water and climate regulation — they have significant contribution in terms of keeping the planet cool.
The IUCN reported that peatlands store 30 percent of global carbon, and when drained and damaged, they exacerbate climate change, emitting 2 gigatons of carbon dioxide (CO2) every year, which accounts for almost 6 percent of all global greenhouse gas emissions.
The IUCN said in recent years, international biodiversity and climate-change conventions have recognized peatlands as a priority for action “with peatland conservation and restoration identified as the low-hanging fruit in tackling climate change”.
In the Philippines, the DENR is currently in search of peatland ecosystems. According to the DENR-BMB, citing the 2016 Atlas of Philippine Inland Wetlands and Classified Caves, there are currently nine identified peatlands in the country, including the Tan-ag Ilaya in Quezon Province, Sab-A in Leyte, San Teodoro and San Vicente Peatlands in Agusan del Sur; and the Agusan Marsh peatlands in Talacogon, Caimpugan, Novelle and Bayugan III, Kalingayan-Consuelo and Pag-Asa.
These peatlands are known to have unique vegetation, Lim said, including Lanipao (Terminalia copelandii), and syzigium flowering plants. They are also home to wild animals the same as in surrounding areas “as the peatland is part of their range, and some vegetation could provide food to bats and birds”.
The DENR-BMB is calling for the preservation and conservation of peatland ecosystems. “Peatlands should be preserved because if they are degraded or destroyed, they will emit CO2 and contribute to greenhouse-gas emissions [GHG]” and climate change, Lim said. This makes peatlands extremely crucial not only for environmental conservation, but also for the general health of the Filipino population.
This is particularly important, as the Philippines is committed to reduce its carbon emission by 70 percent under the Paris Agreement. Expanding the country’s forests is being eyed as a strategy by the DENR so the country can offset its carbon emission as the country struggles to maintain growth and development.
Partnering with local governments and communities, she said, will boost national government efforts to save peatlands while exploring options to optimize benefits from the ecosystem services they provide. Local government units may also coordinate with farmer groups and agriculture experts in upholding conservation efforts by simply disseminating information about peatlands and which areas should not be used for agricultural purposes.
Environmental Protection Through Coordination and Collaboration
In 2015, representatives from various national government agencies, along with some local government units, took part in a national environmental law-enforcement summit, or the National Environmental Law Enforcement (NELE) Summit. This drive focused on tackling various problems and issues that arise in upholding environmental laws, as well as the best practices in law enforcements and protection.
The two-day summit drew participants from the nine government agencies and Isabela province who engaged in a lively debate, especially on the matter of interagency coordination and cooperation in case buildups and prosecuting environmental law violators.
The summit aims to update the members of the National Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee-Subcommittee on Environment and Natural Resources on the implementation of the action plan on environmental law enforcement for 2011 to 2014 and to facilitate the formulation of an action plan for the next five years, according to lawyer Maria Ronely Bisquera-Sheen, who acted as the moderator and facilitator in the workshop mechanics and planning workshop, along with lawyers Marina Rabe-Manuel, Wilman Pollisco and Raymond Velicaria.
According to the DENR Assistant Secretary for Field Operations, Marcial Amaro Jr, the NELE summit aims to promote the development of standard regular training program for Philippine National Police and other law-enforcement agencies; the creation of comprehensive and systematic procedures; as well as sustained enforcement operation, and system of protection and incentives for environmental protection “whistle-blowers.
Pangasinan Environment Summit: Renewing Environmental Oaths of Commitment
Similar to the NELE summit held in Tagaytay, Pangasinenses from all walks of life renewed their commitment to do their share to further protect and conserve the province’s natural environment.
The oaths of commitment were publicly made by officials of local government units and national agencies, non-governmental organizations, farmers and fishermen, educators and students in ceremonies that climaxed the first Pangasinan Environment Summit held at the Sison Auditorium inside the capitol complex. Before the pledging sessions, Gov. Amado T. Espino Jr. detailed the trail-blazing efforts his administration achieved in eight years and three months.
Among the major accomplishments under his stewardship, the governor mentioned the rehabilitation and upgrading of provincial nurseries, establishment of mangrove nursery, together with coastal management program, launching of a province-wide river cleanup program, and the institutionalization of the provincial disaster-risk reduction and management program.
“It can be said that the provincial government has done its best in protecting and preserving the environment. But, much still needs to be done and to sustain the gains we have achieved so far to make Pangasinan the best place to invest, work, live and raise a family, for this and future generations to come,” Espino said. Responding to the governor as the event keynote speaker, Environment Undersecretary Jonas R. Leonas said, “In Pangasinan, the government and its people have chosen to care, to act and to be responsible for their environment.”
For the province’s pioneering efforts at environmental protection, the governor noted that the provincial government has harvested several awards, including a hall of fame citation for sustaining the best coastal resource-management program for three consecutive years.
The summit, Espino noted, was the best avenue through which the gaps in the ongoing environment program and renewing the people’s commitments to protect, conserve and sustain a green environment are properly addressed.